Chicago sees decline in gang-related crime, but not complete picture
CHICAGO – Chicago’s streets have seen a marked decrease in reported gang-related crimes over the past 20 years, reaching a low point in 2023. According to Chicago Police Department data, just over one in five homicides last year were suspected of being linked to gang activity. However, this seemingly positive trend may not reflect the whole story, with experts questioning the true scale of gang influence and law enforcement’s capacity to track it.
Gang-related crimes accounted for only 0.7% of all reported crimes in Chicago in 2023, a sharp decline from 2.9% in 2004, records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show. Despite this reduction, some argue that the numbers may be misleading, citing changes in gang structures and the shutdown of Chicago’s controversial gang database in September 2023 as potential factors.
Joel Hamernick, a 30-year veteran in gun violence prevention and executive director of the nonprofit Strides for Peace, attributes the decline partly to a significant shift in gang dynamics.